Collection Gift Guide: Norse Marauder

Robert Farago

12/01/2004

VIKING 74 CONVERTIBLE
If you don’t understand the attraction of deep-sea tournament fishing, you probably never will. The experience is either a thrilling, primordial fight between man and beast, or a pointless, tiresome struggle that is more hard work than fun. Fortunately for avid fishermen with friends and family who do not share their passion, there’s a boat that caters to both camps: the Viking 74 Convertible.

First and foremost, the 74 is a tournament fishing machine, and Viking designed the boat for the task from the keel up. Before building it, the company tank tested a model of the hull at the Steven Institute of Technology to determine the optimum engine package. You don’t have to be a naval architect to see the shape’s efficiency. One look at her aggressive profile and broad beam and you know that the 74 offers the ideal combination of sea worthiness and speed.

Appearances are not deceiving; equipped with twin-MTU 16V Series 2000 engines, the big Viking has an independently verified top speed of 36.7 knots. That is an important number for sportsmen who spend infinitely more time chasing big fish than landing them. Equally important, the 74 handles heavy seas and big swellswith ease. It is also a nimble beast, capable of all the right moves in the heat of battle.

The boat’s “war room” is the aft deck. The rear cockpit features 218 square feet of working room and storage space for enough fishing gear to fill a tackle shop. The built-in freezers are equally capacious and handy. All the units place the necessary equipment within easy reach, without getting in the way of the job at hand. There are also dozens of small touches to make deep-sea angling more pleasant: a built-in nonslip floor, nozzles that spray a cooling mist on the work­ing fisherman, electric teaser reels that retract at the push of a button, and more. In short, the Viking 74 was designed by fishermen for fishermen. (Click image to enlarge)

For those who prefer the cruising side of the deep-sea equation, the 74 offers superb accommodations and comfort. The interior welcomes boaters with a mixture of hand-finished teak and polished chrome. Although the 74’s customers select the furnishings, the basic decor is restrained, elegant, and perfectly constructed–a welcome change from the brash decor and subtle corner-cutting that afflicts many yachts in this class. (Click image to enlarge)

The 74’s galley exemplifies the thought and care Viking has put into the boat’s interior. The design seamlessly integrates a Sub-Zero under-counter refrigerator, a trash compactor, an electric cooktop, a large oven, and a microwave. A multitude of deep pullout drawers can shelter enough dry goods for a six-week cruise. And the flow is ideal; the U-shaped island opposite the sink and stove allows the cook to entertain guests while keeping an eye on the (allegedly) all-important outdoor action. (Click image to enlarge)

If passengers prefer entertainment of the cinematic variety, the 74’s gracious saloon is equipped with the latest home theater system, complete with a pop-up plasma TV and surround sound. Viewers never need to strain to hear the soundtrack over an air conditioner’s constant whistle and drone. The yacht’s climate control system circulates cool air throughout the boat via concealed registers hidden behind the valances, a setup that eliminates dreaded drafts, hot spots, and noise.The attention to detail continues below. The master stateroom is a hushed and dignified space, perfect for post-tournament slumber or quiet relaxation between battles. The optional cut glass diorama above the headboard is one of the finest decorations I’ve seen.

Sensibly enough–considering the wickedly humid climes where fishermen seek their prey–every closet and cubby is cedar-lined. There is even a large cedar-lined compartment underneath the queen-size bed that is ideal for a cherished set of golf clubs or cold weather gear.

The Viking 74 offers a choice of a four- or five-stateroom layout, including crew’s quarters. (The crew’s berths are accessible from the engine room.) And there is plenty of water for everyone; the desalination system can create 600 gallons of freshwater per day.

The convertible yacht genre is a hybrid format that has evolved to cater to the disparate needs of two distinct clienteles: die-hard sport fishermen and comfort-seeking cruisers. The $4 million Viking 74 is a remarkable achievement: a no-compromise yacht that answers the demands of both groups at the same time. It’s more than good enough to lure even the most fish-aversive family member off dry land and into the great unknown.

Viking Yachts
609.296.6000
www.vikingyachts.com